Leadership and Organization
Found at: Baptists in Canada | The Canadian Encyclopedia
Local Church Autonomy
Found at: Baptist Distinctives | Christian History Magazine (christianhistoryinstitute.org)
Benjamin Griffiths (1746)
Each local church has supreme authority in its own affairs. It cannot be dominated, coerced or interfered with by any power outside itself. This does not preclude cooperation with other local churches, but such cooperation or association has no authority over the local church. (236)
Church Autonomy and Association
Found at: What do Baptists believe? – Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec
A Statement from the Board of Elders at Emmanuel Baptist Church
At Emmanuel we have made listening, learning and engaging in conversation a priority for our community as we prepare to participate in a denominationally led vote this May. One element of this vote relates to the definition of marriage. As such our pastors, as well as 4 guest speakers, have presented us with 5 or more different views on their theological interpretation and understanding of marriage and sexuality, and in several cases graciously provided an important LGBTQ+ voice to the conversation.
As Christians, the challenge and emotional weight we feel as we wrestle through a season of disagreement is difficult and heavy. Regardless of where our theological convictions lie, these conversations are hard; they can create tension, frustration and in some cases even hurt among our community. Yet, it is important that we remember that our discomfort is not comparable to the potential harm and even trauma these conversations can cause to members of the LGBTQ+ community.
As a board we felt led to make a statement in recognition of the potential harm our community conversation process may have caused to members of the LGBTQ+ community. We acknowledge that parts of the process, particularly where the impact to their community was not considered, may have caused them to question their belonging here, or diminished their ability to flourish within our community. As a board we do not support a narrative that does not recognize the LGBTQ+ community as part of the conversation.
It is our prayer that the voices and experiences of, and impact on, the LGBTQ+ community are front of mind in all we do and say throughout our preparations for Assembly 2022 and beyond. We thank the community at Emmanuel Baptist Church who have committed themselves to gracious conversation with one another, created space for difference in opinion on the interpretation of scripture, and are prayerfully considering a way forward for our community.
In Christ,
Board of Elders
Over the past months, the 2021 Community Conversation Committee has been planning a number of activities that will help our church engage in conversation about the CBWC’s Identity Statement and the proposed motions for Assembly 2022. Here are some of the activities that we are proposing for this fall and winter.
In addition to the recommended resources that can be found at the Community Conversation Resource Webpage, we are encouraging our church family to engage in an eight-session Bible Study, using the study developed by the CBWC staff, To Be a Holy People, (with some modifications and additions from our committee). We are inviting small groups to engage with the study this fall. We are also convening additional groups to meet either in person or online on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings. Please let us know of your interest in one of these groups by filling out the form below.
We plan to host several forums for presentations and dialogue. The first of these will be on Thursday, November 4, 7-9pm, featuring the lead pastors of both congregations (morning and The Connection). Each of the pastors, Brendon and Rob, will be asked to offer their perspectives on the Identity Statement, with particular focus on the questions of sexuality and marriage as well as the intersection of local church autonomy and associational interdependence (or interdependence within our church association/denomination).
In January, we are planning to invite two persons from the LGBTQ+ community to share their stories with us. We are hoping to have someone who is married to a person of the same sex and one who is committed to a life of celibacy.
In February, we a planning to host a weekend of Biblical and theological reflection with two leaders, one making the case for the marriage equality and the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the life and ministry of the church, and one advocating for a gracious hospitality toward LGBTQ persons while upholding the traditional position on marriage and sexuality.
In March, we anticipate one more forum to discuss questions of local church autonomy and interdependence within our church association (denomination), and then, in April, a vote on the motions that would inform the delegates who will represent our church at Assembly 2022.
RESOURCES TO SUPPORT LEARNING AND DIALOGUE AROUND
THE PROPOSED CBWC IDENTITY STATEMENT
Assembled by the Emmanuel Subcommittee, June 2021
2021 Community Conversation
Over the next year, the Emmanuel Baptist Church community will be engaging in an extended conversation around the proposed CBWC* Identity Statement and the associated motions to be voted on at the CBWC Assembly in 2022. To assist our congregational learning and discussion, we have assembled a list of resources on the topics of church association and autonomy, sexuality and the church, and LGBTQ+* stories. We also provide links to resources assembled by CBWC staff. The resources are separated into an Introductory List, which can be read in an hour or two, and an Extended List that explore the issues in greater detail. These resources have been assembled in response to the June 2021 congregational survey.
On Being: Civil Conversations Project. Better Conversations: A Starter Guide. Article. Length: 15 min. Provides advice about how to facilitate constructive conversations with others who think differently, in areas that are uncomfortable and potentially contentious.
BetterConversationsGuide_July2020_FINAL.pdf
Psychology Today. A 5-Step Recipe for Opening People’s Minds – Stop Debating and Start Dialoguing. Article. Length: 10 min. Discussion points and tips for healthy conversation with people who hold opposing views to our own.
John Shore. Taking God at His Word: The Bible and Homosexuality. Blog post. Length: 10-15 min. A blog post that takes a second look at biblical passages relating to same-sex relationships. Position: Affirming. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnshore/2012/04/the-best-case-for-the-bible-not-condemning-homosexuality/
CBWC Resources
CBWC staff have assembled an extensive set of resources to help its member churches prepare for Assembly 2022. For those who wish to delve deeper, an exhaustive list of resources from multiple perspectives outside the CBWC is available under: DISCOVER: Faith, Sexuality and Gender: Recommended Reading
David Gushee. Changing Our Minds. YouTube Video. Length: 2 hours, 5 min. An evangelical ethicist and author of “Changing our Minds: A Landmark Call for Inclusion of LGBTQ Christians”, presents and answers questions regarding full inclusion of LGBTQ Christians in the church to A Gathering of Baptists in 2020. Position: Affirming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-fCyoagAEE
Jen Hatmaker: Jen & Sydney Hatmaker on Being Gay, Christian & Loved. Podcast. Length: 45 min. A mother daughter conversation about what it is like to grow up as the daughter of a popular Christian author and speaker, and realize you are gay. Position: Affirming.
Church Association and Autonomy
Stephen Holmes. Baptist Theology. Book Excerpt. Length: 10 pages. An excerpt from “Baptist Theology” by a Baptist Theologian in the U.K., providing an historian’s overview of Baptist (congregational) governance including the independence and interdependence of local congregations. The relevant text begins towards the bottom of the first page.
StephenRHolmes_2012_CongregationalChurchG_BaptistTheology.pdf